BugBotLab vs Virtual Robotics Toolkit
BugBotLab
bugbotlab.comVirtual Robotics Toolkit
virtualroboticstoolkit.comSide by side
| Figure | BugBotLab | Virtual Robotics Toolkit |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | £12.42/mo | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 4 | 1 |
| Spec score · Robotics Education Software | 8.3 (#7) | 7.0 (#24) |
| Headquarters | The maker lists its registered office as 103 Ouseley Road, Wraysbury, Staines-Upon-Thames, TW19 5JJ. | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Integrations | The School plan supports sign-in with school Google or Microsoft accounts. | The download page lists EV3 Software as required for programming EV3 robots, and LEGO Digital Designer and LDraw All In One Installer as required to build custom robots. |
| Purpose | BugBotLab offers a Python course in which students write programs to drive a robot in a browser simulator or on BugBot hardware. | The toolkit lets users build, program, and simulate LEGO MINDSTORMS robots. |
| Support | The terms say support is available by email or BugBot Teach's problem-reporting feature, with replies within two working days and faster replies for paid plans in term time. | The documentation offers learning materials for different skill levels and links to an official forum. |
| Trial | Every new teacher account gets 30 days of the School plan free, starting when the teacher makes their first class, with no card or order required. | The installation guide says users can start a 15-day free trial after installing the software. |
Plans
BugBotLab
- FreeFree
- Teacher plan£149 a year
- Founding school School plan£495 a year
- School planPrice not published
In their own words
BugBotLab
BugBotLab is a browser-based Python course where students program a BugBot robot in a simulator or on BugBot hardware. The course lists 409 lessons, progressing from first code through vision and machine learning. Students join classes with a six-letter code and do not need email addresses or accounts. It runs in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari on school laptops, Chromebooks, and iPads. Teacher tools include live class views, progress boards, mark books, assignments, tests, certificates, lesson materials, and custom tasks. School sign-in supports Google or Microsoft accounts. A new teacher receives 30 days of School plan access without a card; after the trial, one class remains free. Paid plans include a 149.00 GBP yearly Teacher plan and school plans. BugBotLab says data is stored in London, deleted on request or after twelve months unused, and not sold or used to train AI models. The BugBot robot is listed separately at £199 each or £999 for five, ex VAT.
Virtual Robotics Toolkit
Virtual Robotics Toolkit has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.